John 7:37-39 (NRSV)

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 

We need water to function in mind, body and spirit.  Take any seriously aggressive runner or biker's example.  Many of them have acquired equipment so they can drink without ceasing.  You probably know what I am talking about:  a water bladder!  It attaches to your body and is equipped with a flexible straw that can be positioned just inches from your mouth.  As you are maintaining your desired (or possible) pace, you don't need to stop to bring the water bottle out -- you just adjust your head slightly, suck and swallow! 

While pumping arms and legs and with your eyes focused upon the path ahead you absorb the cool stream which will enliven you.  Without water you will suffer from dehydration.  Sticky mouth may be the most apparent sign, but you can also become dizzy, disoriented and dull minded.  In worst cases you will falter, faint and ultimately die.  


Jesus (living in the desert climate) appealed to the common sense of the people, saying "I give you living water".  You will have access to a stream that will never run dry. 

Now these folks may not have known or understood the physiology of water deprivation, but they certainly knew that it was as critical as breath!  An infallible source of water was almost impossible to imagine.  For the desert dwellers, a water source that would never run dry was clearly a miracle.  By appealing to an every day reality, and an imminent cause of human suffering (dying of thirst), Jesus stimulated not only hope, but also a very "thirst" for the kind of nourishment he promised to provide. 

St. Paul said that we are to pray without ceasing.  It's like that water bladder that the athlete uses, isn't it?  In any given moment as you pray in any way, you are taking a "sip" from the flow of Christ's love which is constant and ever flowing.  You don't need to stop in your tracks -- but you may need to adjust your head (your thoughts) so that your heart can take a drink.